The gang’s all here now that Flora (Paulina Chávez) has finally arrived in Fate: The Winx Saga Season 2.
Ever since Flora, the nature fairy, originally appeared in The Winx Club animated series almost 20 years ago, fans have been eagerly awaiting the character's debut in the live-action Fate: The Winx Saga ever since the show premiered in January 2021.
“I think that Flora in our show will also be a fan favorite,” showrunner Brian Young recently told Tudum. “Paulina is so, so lovely and so amazing. We talked about this fearless nature that we wanted to give our Flora.”
For Chávez, portraying Alfea’s newest fairy is more than just adapting a cartoon character. The 20-year-old actor knows how important it is for young Latina viewers to have strong characters to look up to, and she hopes Flora becomes that role model for someone. Chávez sat down with Tudum to chat about joining the Fate family this season as well as what this role means to her.
Congrats on joining Season 2! What’s it feel like to be part of this ensemble and a story that means so much to fans?
It’s pretty incredible. The fanbase is just so supportive, so strong, and I absolutely enjoy the show so much. The second season is full of juicy content and I think people are going to really love Flora.
Fans have been asking to see Flora for a while. Did you feel any pressure at all joining this season?
I was a little bit nervous, but, at the end of the day, I was very welcomed with open arms by the cast. This is a big step for the Latino community so I’m really excited about that.
Whom did you meet in the cast first?
I DM’ed some of the castmates just to introduce myself. Once we finally got out of quarantine, Elisha [Applebaum] and I were texting a little bit, and she invited me over to Abby [Cowen]’s. We just hung out and chilled, and they're very wonderful. It felt like home, it felt very comfortable, very welcoming.
As a Latina actor, what does it mean for you to portray Flora?
I think it’s very important to see positive roles. To see them growing up, it really helps mold who you are. I know for me, I didn’t really see that growing up. I would gravitate more to the people who looked like me, with brown hair, brown eyes. It’s really lovely to see Flora jumping in and being that role model for the Latino community, and, again, presented in such a beautiful light.
When was the first time you saw yourself in a character?
Oh, my goodness. I remember watching the Selena movie, and, even to this day, that movie really shoots up some kind of confidence. If you set your mind to it, you can do whatever you want, and you just have to work hard.
Another one, Brooklyn Nine-Nine. There were Latinos just existing in the real world like we do in real life, and so that’s very beautiful to see. I think Flora is like that; she’s a Latina, but it’s not her whole identity and she’s not in a box.
What initially drew you to the role?
That she was a powerhouse of a Latina. I’m more drawn to those roles: the smart, the confident Latinas that are making a statement. I also want to tell our story and things that we’ve gone through.
🤐 SPOILER ALERT 🤐The scene where Terra (Eliot Salt) comes out to Flora was very touching to watch. What was filming that moment like for you?
Eliot is just such a wonderful actor. When we ran the scene a few times rehearsing it, she got very emotional. I was just so happy to be there and to be her scene partner in that and just support. She made me tear up. Even watching it now I tear up. It’s such a powerful scene, and I think everybody’s going to feel it.
If you could switch powers with any of the other girls, who would it be and why?
Beatrix [Sadie Soverall]. She’s just so badass. I think it’s the way she carries herself — I would want to be like that.
Season 2 of Fate: The Winx Saga premieres Sept. 16.
